Wave of Petty
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
Civic Leaders
Worried
Wave of Petty Crime in W. Samoa
17K)R a considerable time past
X 1 Samoan leaders have been
worried about a startling increase in crime in the Territory.
Burglaries, thefts, defalcations and other offences including plantation thefts of foodstuffs and agri cultural produce, have increased to an alarming extent so that police and courts are unable to cope with the situation.
A large number of these offences are committed by youngsters and teenagers and though the Apia High Court has dealt with dozens of cases week by week, there is no decrease and fresh cases become known daily.
There is little unemployment and no poverty or need in this Territory, but efforts by the various Missions, by the Government and b v Samoan leaders to stem this wave of dishonesty have so far had little effect.